The  Private  Library 
1868-1876 


The  Public  Library 
1876-1926 


HISTORY 


of  the 


CHAMPAIGN   PUBLIC   LIBRARY 


and 


READING   ROOM 


by 

EDWIN  A.  KRATZ 


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The  Private  Library 
1868-1876 


The  Public  Library 
1876-1926 


HISTORY 


of  the 


CHAMPAIGN   PUBLIC    LIBRARY 


and 


READING   ROOM 


bv 


EDWIN  A.  KRATZ 


TO  HENRY  TREVETT 

Friend  and  companinn;  Enterprising, 
Coneientious  and  public  sjiirited  (-itizen, 
wlin  was  not  only  a  charter  raeinber  of 
the  Champaign  Library  Association,  but 
as  Mayor  of  the  City,  he  had  the  honor 
of  naming  the  first  Board  of  Directors  of 
the  Champaign  Public  Library,  and  for 
three  subsequent  years  he  maintained 
the  high  standard  of  the  Board  by  Acts 
of  Appointment. 


Dk.  E,  a.  Kratz 


Foreword 

IFTY  years  ago  (February  14.  1867)  a  visitor  arrived  in 
the  City  of  ('hainj)ai«rn,  with  no  intention  of  remaining 
long,  direct  fi'oni  a  little  village  in  Pennsylvania  of  less 
than  'JOO  inhabitants,  which  was  su])i)()rting  a  fine  library 
of  which  he  was  a  iii(Mul)ei',  and  here  keenly  felt  tiie  want  of  a 
Ijibrary  and  reading  room  in  this  thriving  western  city  of  some 
4000  iidiabitants. 

This  matti'r  was  spoken  of  to  an  Uncle,  Mr.  Beidler,  and 
several  other  "old  residents"  with  whom  he  came  in  contact,  but 
notiiing  developed  fi-om  the  suggestion  until  a  year  later.  On  his 
return  from  Ann  Ai-bor,  JMich.  the  jjroject  was  put  on  foot  and 
the  Champaign  Library  Association  was  duly  organized  on  May  7, 
1868,  the  first  of  its  kind  in  the  city. 

At  the  last  ainiual  meeting  of  the  Association  held  May  11, 
1876,  a  new  secretary  was  elected,  E.  T.  Whitcomb,  a  hail-fellow- 
well-met,  who  left  not  the  scratch  of  a  i)en,  either  of  said  epochal 
meeting  or  subsequent  one  surrendering  its  ])roperty.  Even  the 
record  book  is  goiu'.  But,  for  the  private  notes  of  the  author  him- 
self, all  official  data  leading  up  to  the  transfer  is  lost. 

As  it  is  not  expected  that  this  document  will  reach  the  public, 
at  least  without  severe  censoring,  a  few  personalities  will  be  in- 
dulged, in  which  I  take  considerable  pride.  1  was  a  charter  mem- 
ber of  the  Library  Association  in  1868;  Custodian  of  the  few  books 
on  hand  in  1869;  Secretary  when  the  Library  was  rejuvenated  in 
1871 ;  Librarian  when  it  was  given  to  the  City  in  1876 ;  Director 
and  Secretary  of  the  first  Board  under  City  domiiuition  ;  Secretary 
wdien  the  Library  was  moved  into  the  City  Building  in  1889;  again 
Secretary  of  the  Board  when  it  took  possession  of  the  Burnham 
Athenaeum  in  1896;  President  of  the  Board  in  1900  when  the  Chil- 
dren's department  was  opened  up;  also  in  1901  when  the  experi- 
mental branch  was  established  with  a  voluntary  assistant ;  and 
Acting  Secretary  in  1914  when  the  first  re])()rt  was  publisheil, 
which  constituted  my  last  service  for  the  Library,  and  am  now  the 
self  ai)poi?ite(l   historian    (at  my  daughter's  suggestion). 

When  the  Librarian  (lOtliel  G.  Kratz),  in  December  1916  asked 
mc  to  write  a  forty  yeai"  history  of  the  Lil)rary,  I  was  inclined  to 
considei-  it  a  good  joke.  Not  having  had  the  advantages  of  an  aca- 
demic education,  I  felt  that  others  more  capable  in  a  literary  sense 
could  do  the  subject  better  justice,  but  she  {persisted  in  my  doing 
it — that  it  could  l)e  typewritten  for  pi'eservation.  So  it  was  com- 
menced, and  as  most  of  the  data  is  in  my  private  memorandum,  1 
soon  became  interested  and  have  stiMing  the  thing  out  moi'e  fully 
than  at  first  contemj)lated,  giving  facts  without  embellishment  as  a 
basis  for  some  futui-e  liistorian  to  polish  up  in  literary  style. 

Ten  years  later,  on  the  tiftietli  anniversary  of  the  establishing 
of  the  Chamj)aign  Libiary,  at  the  recpiest  of  the  Library  Board  of 
Trustees,  1  liav(>  endeavored  to  bring  the  survey  down  to  date,  as 
well  as  my  advanced  age  (82  years)  and  physical  condition  will 
permit. 

E.  A.  Kratz,  M.  D. 
June,  1926. 


THE  PRIVATE  LIBRARY 

HE  Champaign  Library  Association  was  the  forerunner,  tlie 
advance  guard  of  the  Public  Library  and  Reading  room 
located  in  the  Burnham  Athenaeum,  in  which  our  j)eople 
liave  a  just  pride. 

It  had  its  inception  Tuesday  evening  April  28,  1868,  when  T. 
B.  Sweet.  Henry  Beardsley,  J.  S.  Lothrop,  A.  D.  Eads.  and  Geo.  M. 
Noble,  self  appointed  committee  held  a  conference  in  Mr.  Sweet's 
otSce  in  Barrett  Block  (Swannell)  No.  1,  Main  Street.  They  re- 
solved "That  a  Library  Association  be  organized  for  the  purpose  of 
opening  and  maintaining  a  Library  and  Reading  room  for  the  bene- 
fit of  the  memliers  thereof,  as  nothing  of  the  kind  existed  in  this 
city  with  a  population  of  about  4000."  They  agreed  to  formulate 
a  Constitution  to  present  at  a  meeting  to  be  called  by  public  notice 
embodying  said  resolution. 

Thursday,  May  7,  1868,  the  first  meeting  of  the  Champaign 
Library  Association  was  held  in  Barrett  Hall,  pursuant  to  said 
notice.  Mr.  Sweet  was  chosen  temporary  Chairman  and  Mr.  Noble, 
Secretary.  A  Constitution  and  Bylaws  (now  lost)  was  presented 
by  Mr.  Lothrop  and  adopted,  and  the  following  persons  there  sub- 
scribed their  names  to  said  Constitution  as  members  of  the  Asso- 
ciation and  paid  the  annual  dues  of  $2.00  each.  To  wit:  G.  W. 
Atherton,  principal  of  the  High  School;  Aaron  Beidler,  lumber;  J. 
S.  Jones,  attorney;  T.  B.  Sweet,  insurance;  J.  S.  Lothrop,  attorney; 
J.  S.  Wright,  retired ;  Henry  Beardsley,  real  estate ;  E.  A.  McAllis- 
ter, postmaster;  A.  C.  Burnham,  banker;  C.  G.  Larned,  tinner;  A. 
D.  Eads,  surveyor;  G.  M.  Noble,  student;  B.  D.  Harbison,  retired; 
B.  C.  Beach,  elevator;  C.  E.  Baker,  grain  buyer;  C.  Hesse,  planing 
mill ;  Henry  Trevett,  hardware ;  Peter  Lockrie,  editor ;  L.  C.  Gar- 
wood, jewler;  W.  H.  Kratz,  lumber;  E.  A.  Kratz,  medical  student: 
Theodore  Johnson,  medical  student ;  D.  Rodoker,  photographer ;  D. 
T.  Martin,  medical  student;  C.  S.  Morehouse,  dry-goods;  John 
Faulds,  supt.  Mt.  Hope — total  26  members.  Of  the  above  pioneers 
the  author  is  the  only  one  left,  the  others  having  all  passed  into 
the  great  unknown. 

As  this  was  not  a  corporate  body,  three  Trustees  were  elected, 
A.  C.  Burnham,  C.  G.  Larned,  and  J.  S.  Wright. 

The  management  of  the  Association  was  vested  in  a  Board  of 
seven  Directors,  consisting  of  the  officers  and  two  members,  and 
the  following  were  duly  elected :  President,  G.  W.  Atherton ;  Vice- 
president,  J.  S.  Jones;  Secretary,  J.  S.  Lothrop;  Treasurer,  Aaron 
Beidler ;  Librarian,  T.  B.  Sweet ;  and  Henry  Beardsley  and  E.  N. 
McAllister,  constituted  the  Board  of  Directors.  The  meeting  ex- 
hibited considerable  enthusiasm  throughout,  satisfied  that.it  had 
blazed  the  way  for  something  tangible  to  follow,  and  adjourned. 

The  first  act  of  the  Directors  was  to  open  a   reading  room ; 

5 


t 


aeeorcling:ly  the  rear  room  on  the  second  floor  at  No.  7  ^Maiii 
Street  Mas  secured  from  A.  C.  Biirnham  at  a  nominal  rental.  Two 
tables  and  a  few  cliairs  constituted  the  furniture.  The  leadinj: 
periodicals  and  several  metropolitan  dailies  and  weeklies  were 
placed  there  regularly.  By  the  end  of  the  calendar  year,  the  mem- 
bership roll  numbered  40  residents  of  the  city  and  the  "Library"' 
consisted  of  nearly  300  vols. 

Right  here  is  where  it  struck  a  snag  which  came  well  nigh 
wrecking  the  young  A.ssociation.  The  Reading  room  proved  a 
comjilete  failure,  subscriptions  were  not  renewed,  the  room  was 
abandoned  and  the  books  placed  in  Dr.  Kratz"s  office,  No.  15  Main 
Street. 

This  experience  proved  so  discouraging  that  no  further  effort 
Avas  made  in  tlie  Reading  room  line,  and  for  two  years  the  Associa- 
tion and  its  Library  was  in  a  state  of  innocuous  desuetude,  so  to 
speak,  but  the  Directors  kept  its  object  and  ultimate  purpose  of 
the  Association  before  the  public,  by  giving  lectures  and  enter- 
tainments in  tlie  name  of  the  Association  for  the  benefit  of  the 
Library,  during  the  winter  months,  by  engaging  speakers  of  Na- 
tional repute — John  B.  Gough.  Anna  Dickinson,  Wendell  Phillips, 
Robert  Collyer.  and  others  equally  well  known,  to  full  houses,  dur- 
ing this  interim  wliicli  netted  some  four  hundred  dollars  towards  a 
fresh  start  for  a  library. 

Incorporation  papers  were  filed  in  the  Secretary  of  State's 
office  August  7.  1871,  and  late  in  September  1S71  new  life  was 
injected  into  tlie  moi-ibund  Association.  The  above  fund  was  in- 
ve.sted  in  books,  the  membership  began  to  increase,  a  new  catalog 
was  made  and  the  Library  moved  into  the  Gazette  Counting  room 
on  the  second  floor  of  No.  26  Main  Street,  the  editor.  Geo.  Scroggs, 
agreeing  to  act  as  librarian,  where  it  liad  a  home  for  four  years, 
during  which  time  the  membershij)  roll  increased  to  160  and  the 
shelves  bulged  out  with  750  volumes  of  good,  clean  reading  matter. 

An  incident  connected  with  the  first  ]nircha.se  of  books  shows 
liow  it  was  proposed  to  make  a  little  go  a  long  Avay.  Three  bids 
were  received ;  a  local  firm,  a  C'liicago  house,  and  a  New  York  house, 
made  estimates  on  the  $400  invoice.  Our  directors  proceeded  to 
separate  the  low  items  of  each,  expecting  of  course  there  would 
be  no  comi)laint.  but  it  is  needless  to  say  the  contract  was  not  filled 
that  way. 

Thus  far  in  the  life  of  tiie  Association  there  was  no  operating 
expense  in  maintaining  the  institution.  The  librarian's  services 
were  given  free  and  also  there  was  no  charge  for  shelf  room.  The 
patronage  justified  a  paid  librarian,  which  the  income  was  not  able 
to  meet.  It  became  very  aj)parent  tliat  a  ditferent  policy  must  be 
adopted  for  the  future  usefulness  of  the  Library. 

Hence  when  the  Association  met  in  animal  assembly  on  ^May 
11.  1876.  a  majority  of  th<'  members  attending,  the  matter  re- 
ceived most  careful  and  eonscientious  attention.     A  complete  shift 

G 


Avas  made  in  the  offices  and  trustees.  This  meetin":  and  siil)seqnent 
affairs  of  the  Association  the  Secretary  failed  to  record,  hut  from 
private  memorandum,  an  estimate  of  the  hoklings  of  the  Associa- 
tion and  the  patronage  of  the  Library,  was  substantially  700 
volumes  valued  at  $900.00,  boolc  cases,  tables,  furniture  and  cash 
$423.46.  making  a  total  of  $1323.46 :  and  that  2135  volumes  were 
loaned  to  members  the  past  year  of  which  40%  were  fiction,  humor, 
drama. 

209r    were  history,  biography,  travel. 

30*^  r    were  juveniles. 

10/(  were  science,  art,  miscellany. 

The  future  usefulness  of  tlie  Library  to  the  general  public 
was  carefully  considered,  and  the  members  being  in  a  generous 
mood  it  was  unanimously  resolved  "That  the  Champaign  Library 
Association  give  to  the  city  of  Champaign  such  of  its  property, 
books,  furniture  and  money,  on  consideration  that  the  said  city 
would  establish  and  maintain  a  free  Public  Library  and  Reading 
room,  in  accordance  with  the  Statutes  of  the  State,  by  an  annual 
appropriation  of  at  least  $1000.00  which  was  then  considered  a 
liberal  amount."  The  Association  then  adjourned  awaiting  the 
action  of  the  City. 

It  appears  from  the  deed  of  gift  that  another  meeting  of  the 
Association  was  held  on  August  25,  1876,  for  the  purpose  evidently 
of  authorizing  the  Trustees  to  make  the  necessarj'  transfer. 

The  deed  of  conveyance  was  duly  executed,  signed  and  sealed 
and  delivered  on  September  18,  1876  by  which  act  the  Champaign 
Library  Association  passed  into  history.  The  text  of  said  deed  is 
given  in  the  next  chapter  :■  The  Public  Library, 

The  following  persons  were  duly  elected  as  trustees  at  the 
several  annual  meetings : 

A.  C.  Burnham — three  years. 
J.  S.  Wright — three  years. 
C.  G.  Larned — four  years. 
L.  W.  Walker — one  year. 
E.  V.  Peterson — four  years. 
G.  F.  Beardsley — one  year. 
J.  W.  Langley — one  year. 
Chas.  Glover — one  year. 
L  H,  Hess — three  years. 
J.  T.  Pearman — one  year, 
J.  Bacon — three  years. 
John  Thomas — one  year. 
W.  A.  Moore — one  year. 

The  last  three  being  in  office  at  the  finale,  duly  signed  and 
executed  the  Deed  of  Gift  to  the  City. 

7 


Mem 

hers 

1868 

G.  W.  Atherton 

L.  S.  Bullard 

Aaron  Beidler 

J.  Bacon 

Henry  Beardsley 

J.  E.  Conklin 

A.  C.  Biiruham 

K.  B.  Conditt 

G.  F.  Beardsley 

Rev.  A.  L.  Farr 

B.  C.  Beach 

0.  H.  Hollister 

C.  E.  Baker 

J.  M.  Healv 

T.  :\I.  Berry 

B.  W.  Hamlin 

Ben  Burroughs 

H.  C.  Howard 

Geo.  Brown 

G  E.  Hessell 

C.  W.  Byer 

B.  F.  Harris 

D.  P.  Beach 

1.  H.  Hess 

A.  D.  Eads 

Mrs.  A.  Hall 

John  Faulds 

G.  AV.  Hawk 

B.  F.  Fillmore 

J    J.  IngersoU 

L.  C.  Garwood 

B.  F.  Johnson 

B.  D.  Harbison 

G.  W.  Kennard 

C.  Hesse 

]M.   E.  Lapham 

M.  S.  Hall 

J.  W.  Langley 

T.  H.  Hurlick 

Ezekiel  Miller 

Mrs.  J.  C.  Hall 

S   M.  Marble 

J.  S.  Jones 

J.  S.  Oliver 

Theo.  Johnson 

P.  W.  Plank 

A.  L.  Jones 

J.  T.  Pearman 

W.  H.  Kratz 

E.  V.  Peterson 

E.  A.  Kratz 

Thos.  E.  Price 

J.  S.  Lotrop 

J.  B.  Russell 

C.  G.  Earned 

E.  C.  Richards 

Peter  Lockrie 

Daniel  Rugg 

E.  N.  McAllister 

Geo.  Scroggs 

D.  T.  Martin 

C.  :M.  Sherfy 

('.  S.  Morehouse 

C.  AV.  Spear 

J.  B.  McKinlev 

H.  D.  Stoltey 

G.  M.  Noble 

C.  J.  Sabin 

I).  Rodoker 

H.   Swannell 

T.  B.  Sweet 

T.  J.  Smith 

E.  L.  Sweet 

L.  W.  Tulleys 

Henry  Trevett 

Jolin  Thomas 

J.  S.  Wright 

Frank  Wilcox 

J.  J.  Bogardus 

L.  W.  Walker 

David  Bailey 

C.  B.  Whitmore 

Seelv  Brown 

1872 


H.  T.  Aspern 
John  Bradley 
B.  F.  Barrett 
A.  IT.  Barnnard 
Chas.  Brandt 
Mark  Carley 
W.  N.  Coler 
H.  M.  Dnnlap 
H.  M.  Douglas 
Clias.  Glover 
J.  A.  Hossack 
T.  G.  Lansden 
J.  C.  Miller 
Chas.  Riggs 
Dr.  Geo.  Schott 
Chas.  Strahle 
Miss  Thayer 
J.  R.  Trevett 
J.  J.  Tuthill 


•Tolin  Weldon 
Chas.  Weston 
J,  A.  Arnold 
Grant   Arnold 

C.  0.  Butterfield 
H.   F.  Crease 

D.  A.  Cheever 
Dan  Gardner 
C.  W.  Gere 
Geo.  F.  Hedges 
J.  W.  Keys 
Ross  Mattis 
Rev.  Noble 
Thos.  Naughton 
H.  L.  Nicolett 
J.  B.  Phinnev 
A.  M.  Scott  ' 
C.  B.  Smith 

E.  T.  Whitcomb 


1874 


Anna  Arnold 
I.  B.  Arnold 
Jacob  Bach 
W.  F.  Bishop 
O.  F.  Britton 
A.  Campbell 
A.  J.  Gardner 


Edward  Lynch 
W.  S.  Maxwell 
W.  A.  Moore 
Chas.  Stewart 
W.  Schweizer 
W.  K.  D.  Townsend 


1875 


Mrs.  Bardwell 
S.  F.  Balcom 
Frank  Cook 
Maggie  Dunlap 
Carrie  Ells 
B.  F.  Harris,  Jr. 
Frank  Haltby 
Robt.  ^laxwell 


John   L.   Price 
G.  W.  M.  Pittman 
Walter  Stewart 
W.  F.  Smith 
S.  L.  Wilcox 
Jesse  Wright 
Frank  Worden 


Aaron  Brown 
John  Babb 
Florence  Barrett 


1876 


J.  S.  Grindley 
H.  A.  Johnston 
G.  W.  Johnston 


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10 


Chapter  II 

THE  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 

[HE   Cliampaign   Public  Library  and  Reading   room   dates 
back  fifty  years  to  July  21,  1876,  at  which  time  the  City 
Council  of  Champaign  voted  to  accept  the  generous  gift  of 
tlie   Champaign   Library  Association,   upon  the   condition 
named  in  their  resolution  of  ]May  11,  1S7G. 

Friday  September  8,  1876  the  Mayor,  Henry  Trevett,  ap- 
pointed nine  citizens,  the  Council  approving  the  same,  to  consti- 
tute the  first  Board  of  Directors  to  administer  the  affairs  of  the 
Library  in  behalf  of  the  city  in  the  interest  of  the  general  public, 
in  accordance  witli  the  Statute  of  the  State,  as  follows: 

Geo.  W.  Gere  E.  A.  Kratz 

Wm.  Bowen  F.  Dollinger 

S.  L.  Wilcox  H.  Swannell 

I.  B.  Arnold  D.  A.  Cheever 

B.  C.  Beach 

At  the  same  time  a  Library  account  was  opened  with  the  City 
Treasurer  for  the  said  Board  of  Directors  to  draw  upon. 

This'Board  represented  all  shades  of  political,  religious,  busi- 
ness and  sectional  interests  of  the  city,  East  and  West  sides. 

American,  Irish,  English,  German,  Swiss. 

Republican,  Democrat,  Prohibition,  Independent. 

Catholic,  Presbyterian,  Methodist,  Baptist,  Congregational, 
Altruist. 

Attorney,  Physician,  School  Superintendent,  Druggist,  Shoe 
Dealer,  Merchant,  Tailor,  Cutter. 

It  proved  to  be  a  very  harmonious  and  efficient  body,  as  much, 
if  not  more  so  than  all  of  its  successors.  LTnder  the  law,  they  re- 
ceived no  compensation,  and  their  services  were  freely  and  cheer- 
fully given  for  the  public  good. 

Thursday  September  17,  1876  the  said  Board  met  in  Arnold's 
Shoe  store  on  Main  Street  and  organized  for  active  service.  They 
drew  cuts  for  one,  two  and  three  year  terms,  elected  George  W. 
Gere,  President,  E.  A.  Kratz,  Secretai-y  and  appointed  three  tem- 
porary Committees : 

Rules  and  regulations — Arnold,  Wilson,  Kratz. 
Rooms  and  librarian — Dollinger,  Bowen,  Swannell. 
Books  and  periodicals — Beach,  Kratz,  Cheever. 

Thursday  October  24,  1876  the  deed  of  gift  was  formally  \n-e- 
sented  to  the  Board,  read  and  accepted  by  it  on  behalf  of  the  city. 

11 


Dfid  of  Gift 

This  identure  made  on  this  the  fourteenth  day  of  Septem- 
ber A.  I).  1876,  between  the  Clianii)aij'-n  Lil)rary  Association  of  the 
City  of  Champaifrn  and  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Public  Li- 
brary and  reading-  room,  of  tlie  City  of  Champaig^n  of  the 
second  part :  both  of  the  County  of  Champaig:n  and  the  State  of 

Illinois — 

Witnesseth  :  That  whereas  at  a  meeting  of  the  said  Library 
Association  held  at  the  Boot  and  Shoe  store  of  I.  B.  Arnold  in 
said  citv  on  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  August  A.  I).  1876,  it  was  on 
motion,'  Resolved  by  said  Association  that  it.  said  Association, 
would  give  to  the  City  of  Champaign  such  of  its  property  and 
monev,  consisting  of  books,  l)ook  cases,  cash,  etc.,  as  is  contained  in 
the  schedule  hereto  attached,  marked  "Exhibit  A"  and  made  a 
l)art  of  this  indenture  upon  the  conditions  hereafter  expressed. 
Which  said  Resolution  was  by  vote  of  the  members  of  said  Library 
Association  unanimously  carried  And  whereas,  the  said  City  of 
Champaign  is  in  favor  of  having  and  maintaining  a  free  Public  Li- 
brary and  Reading  room  as  provided  for  by  an  Act  of  the  Legisla- 
ture"of  tlie  State  of  Illinois,  entitled  "An  Act  to  authorize  cities, 
incori)()rated  towns  and  townships  to  establish  and  maintain  free 
Public  Li])raries  and  reading  rooms,  approved  and  in  force  March 
seventh  A.  D.  1872. 

And  whereas,  the  Citv  Councihof  the  said  city  of  Champaign, 
did  on  the  21st  day  of  July  A.  D.  1876  decide  to  establish  and 
maintain  a  Public  Library  and  reading  room  under  said  Act. 

And  whereas,  the  said  Mayor  of  the  said  city  did  on  the  eighth 
day  of  September  A.  D.  1876,  appoint  a  Board  of  nine  directors 
for  the  same  in  pursuance  of  the  provisions  of  said  Act.  And  the 
same  was  on  said  last  date  approved  by  the  city  Council  of  said 

citv. 

Now  this  identure  witnesseth  that  said  ])arty  of  the  tirst  i)art 
doth  give,  grant  and  convey  unto  the  said  party  of  the  second  part, 
all  and  singular  the  personal  property,  chattels  and  money 
scheduled  in  said  "Exiiibit  A"  hereto  attached,  upon  the  following 
conditions,  that  is  to  say — 

First,  that  tlie  said  city  of  (Miampaign,  will  establish  and  main- 
tain in  the  said  city  of  ('hampaign,  a  free  Public  Library  and  read- 
ing room,  according  to  the  spirit  and  intention  of  said  Act,  and  any 
and  all  amendments  thereof. 

Second,  that  the  city  Council  of  the  said  City  of  Champaign, 
shall  annuallv  levy  and  collect  a  tax  of  at  least  one  thousand  dol- 
lars per  annum.  Said  tax  so  annually  levied  and  collected  to  be 
used  solely  for  the  |)uri)ose  of  establishing  and  maintaining  said 
IMiblic  Librarv  and  reading  room,  ami  making  addition  to  said 
Library  and  tlie  |)iirchasing  of  such  otiier  properties  necessary  for 
the  maintaining  thereof  and  paying  tlie  necessary  expenses  con 
nected  with  the  pro|)er  maintenance  thereof. 

12 


It  is  further  luulerstootl,  covenanted  and  aj>reed,  that  upon  a 
failure  to  comply  with  said  condition,  all  of  said  property  so 
scheduled  as  aforesaid  shall  revert  to  and  vest  in  said  Library  Asso- 
ciation. 

In  testimony  wliereof  the  said  Library  Association  lias  caused 
these  presents  to  be  signed  by  its  President  and  Trustees,  and  at- 
tested by  its  Secretary  and  sealed  with  their  seals. 

At  the  City  of  Champaign  on  the  day  and  year  above 
written — 

J.  Bacon  (Seal) 
Jno.  Thomas   (Seal) 

W.  A.  Moore  (Seal) 

Trustees  of  Champaign 
Library  Association. 

Geo.  W.  Gere  (Seal) 

President. 


I,  Edwin  T.  Wliitcomb,  Secretary  of  said  Champaign  Library 
Association,  do  hereby  certify  that  said  Library  Association  has 
no  corporate  seal. 


E.  T.  Whitcomb  (Seal)  Secretary. 


State  of  Illinois 
Champaign  County 


ss. 


I,  Frank  Wilcox,  a  notary  public  in  and  for  said  county  in  the 
State  aforesaid,  do  hereby  certify  that  Jonathan  Bacon,  John 
Thomas,  and  William  A.  Moore,  trustees  of  the  Champaign  Library 
Association,  and  George  W.  Gere,  president  of  said  Association, 
and  Edwin  T.  Whitcomb.  secretary  of  said  Association,  personally 
known  to  me  to  be  the  persons  whose  names  are  subscribed  to  the 
foregoing  instrument,  appeared  before  me  this  day  in  person,  and 
acknowledged  that  they  signed,  sealed  and  delivered  the  said  instru- 
ment, as  their  free  and  voluntary  act,  and  the  free  and  vuluntai-y 
act  of  the  said  Library  Association  for  the  uses  and  purposes 
therein  set  forth — 

Given  under  my  hand  and  official  seal  tliis  eighteenth  day  of 
September  A.  1).  1876.  ' 

(Seal)     Frank  Wilcox,  Notary  Public 
13 


Exliil)it  --A"" 

133  vds.  Cocoa  mattinjr  (ft   .60 $  79.80 

4  Tables  (walnut)  (a   7.50 30.00 

1  Railing  'walnut) '-^0.00 

3  Hat  shelves  (walnut) 3.00 

2  Readin<r  desks   (walnut) 'iO.OO 

1  Coal   box    (Poplar) 10.00 

1  Desk   (walnut) 16.00 

1  Library  chair 7.00 

1  Coat  strip  and  hooks 110 

1  Clock "^'"^y 

1  Stove   (Volcano)   &  Zinc ^G.Sa 

Pipes,  elbows,  etc --65 

1  Sign  lamp -J---^ 

3  doz.  chairs  (a   8.50 '-^5.50 

3  Window  curtains 10.00 

1  Four  light  pendant 6.50 

2  Two  light  pendant  @  3.50 7.00 

34  ft.  Pipe  and  gas  fixtures 19.  <0 

1/2  ton  coal ---0 

1  Book  case  (walnut) 60.00 

1  Book  ea.se  (pine) 18.00 

1  Stand   (walnut) --00 

Cash  -^-'--^l 

Total  ._-_  $423.46 

750  vols,  numbered  consecutively  without 

re"-ard  to  classification  in  old  catalog. 

vahied    at $900.00 

Total    gift .$1323.46 

At  til  is  same  meeting,  the  several  Committees  reported,  rules, 
afrreements  and  contracts  entered  into,  all  of  whicli  was  approved 

by  the  Board. 

The  rules  and  regulations  providetl  among  other  things — 1  nat 
all  persons  over  ten  years  of  age.  residents  of  the  city,  shall  be 
allowed  the  i)rivileges  of  the  Library  and  Reading  rooms.  That 
tiie  Lil)rarv  and  Reading  room  shall  be  opened  to  i^atrons  and  visi- 
tors from  "2  to  5  and  6  to  10  p.  m.  on  week  days  and  from  2  to  6 
on  Sumlavs.  That  books  for  loan  shall  be  given  out  over  guaran- 
teed cards  signed  b\  a  freeholder.  Also  that  no  person  shall  have 
access  to  the  shelves,   the   Librai'iau   to  hand   out   and   replace  all 

books.  J  1  -n 

The  entire  second  Hoor  of  No.  24  ^lain  St.  was  secured  for  $1;>U 
jier  vear  rental.  Tlie  rear  ihird  of  tiiis  was  railed  off  for  book 
shelves  and  ofhee  desk,  tlie  front  to  be  used  for  reading  and  refer- 
ence work,  containing  tabh's  and  paper  rack.  Mrs.  .M.  :M.  Framp- 
ton  was  employed  as  Librarian  at  a  salary  of  $20.00  a  montli. 

14 


1 


The  president  stated  that  the  transfer  of  the  property  and 
effects  of  the  Association  was  complete  and  now  installed  in  the 
aforementioned  rooms. 

The  Board  then  instructed  the  librarian  to  classify,  renumber 
and  catalogue  the  books  preparatory  to  the  formal  opening  of  the 
Library  and  Reading  room  and  November  21st,  1876  was  agreed 
upon  as  the  date. 

The  new  classifications  showed  up  as  follows: 

History,  Biography  and  Travel 171  volumes 

General  and  religious  literature 91  volumes 

Fiction.  Humor  and  Drama 243  volumes 

Science  and  Art 78  volumes 

Poetry 14  volumes 

Juvenile 93  volumes 

Reference   32  volumes 

Public  documents 37  volumes 

Number  of  papers  on  file 12 

^Magazines -4 

And  everything  was  in  readiness  for  the  general  public  to 
make  use  of,  and  enjoy  its  privileges. 

No.  24,  Main  Street,  2nd  Floor,  13  Years 

The  first  home  of  the  Champaign  Public  Library  and  Reading 
room  was  formally  opened  to  the  general  public  on  Tuesday  eve- 
ning, November  21,  1876,  the  exercises  being  held  in  Barrett  Hall ; 
a  well  filled  house  showed  the  interest  the  reading  public  mani- 
fested on  this  occasion. 

Hon.  Abel  Harwood  presided  and  in  a  few  preliminary  re- 
marks appropriate  to  the  occasion  presented  the  several  speakers. 

Rev.  W.  G.  Pearce  made  the  principal  address,  taking  for  his 
text  the  motto:  "Healing  for  the  Soul"  which  he  said  was  placed 
over  the  entrance  of  the  first  library  that  was  ever  known. 

Mr.  G.  W.  Gere  was  the  historian,  giving  the  ups  and  downs 
of  the  Association  and  the  cheerful  manner  'it  relinquished  its 
charge  for  the  benefit  of  the  whole  people. 

]\Ir.  Geo.  Scroggs  alluded  to  the  ([uestion  of  taxation  provided 
by  law  which  would  maintain  a  respectable  library. 

Mayor  Trevett  on  behalf  of  the  City  accepted  the  trust  thus 
confided  to  the  public. 

The  exercises  of  the  evening  were  interspersed  with  music 
and  song  by  Warren  Maltby  and  a  mixed  choir  and  the  Champaign 
people  retired  that  evening  in  possession  of  a  Free  Public  Library 
and  Reading  room,  a  long  felt  want  at  last  supplied  even  though 
it  was  of  modest  proportion. 

The  first  report  of  the  Board  of  Directors  to  the  City  Council 
covered  six  months  from  date  of  opening,  as  follows,  to  wit : 

15 


Books  received  from  Assoeiation 759 

Books  received  by  donations 340 

Books  received  by  purcbase 277 


Total  number  of  volumes  in  tbe  Library 1376 

No.  of  volumes  loaned,   5868,  daily  average  of  31 

Classes — History,  Biography  and  Travel .08  % 

General  and  religious  literature .09  % 

Fiction  Humor  and  Drama .40  % 

Science   and   Art .04  % 

Poetrv    .01  % 

Juvenile     .038% 

Whole  number  of  visitors 11528 

Daily  average  No.  of  visitors 61 

Papers  on  file : 

Dailies : 

Tribune,  Times,  Inter  Ocean. 
Weeklies : 

Harpers,    Leslie,    Herald,    N.    Y.    Gazette, 
Union  and  other  County  papers. 
Monthlies : 

Scientific  American  and  Supplement,  Har- 
pers,   Scribners,    St.   Nicholas,    Jolly   Joker. 
Desk  receipts: 

Dues $  6.00 

Fines 16.35 

Catalogues   sold 8.30 


Total   $30.65 

The  Library  being  thus  launched,  remained  on  Main  Sti'eet 
for  13  years,  increasing  in  usefulness  and  ])atronage  according  to 
its  income,  but  as  time  passed  by,  the  Directors  began  to  see  that 
the  exi)ense  of  light,  heat,  rent  and  janitor  service  Avas  absorbing 
too  mucli  of  th(>  $100().()()  appropriation  that  should  by  riglits  go 
towards  increasing  the  Library  to  keej)  pace  Avitii  the  reading  })ub- 
lic,  so  accordingly  in  1887  they  asked  the  City  for  an  appropria- 
tion of  $1500.00  to  i-elieve  the  embarrassment.  The  Council  how- 
ever, did  not  meet  the  proposition  with  favor  and  a  like  request 
the  next  year  met  with  tlie  same  action.  Tlie  Council  evidently 
had  some  other  project  in  view  tending  to  relieve  the  situation. 

Citjj  Btdlding,  South   AVest  Room,  7  Years 

In  1889  the  City  having  erected  the  present  i)ublic  building  on 
ground  donated  by  David  Bailey,  eorner  University  Ave.,  Neil 
and  Chester  Sts.,  the  south  west  room  on  tiie  ground  Moor  was  set 
aside  for  the  Library  and  Reading  room  and  the  City  generously 

16 


fnniished  the  same  with  new  cases,  shelves,  counters,  chairs,  and 
railing-  for  library  puri)ost's.  The  Directors  accepted  the  same, 
moved,  became  installed  therein,  rent  free,  early  in  December,  1889. 
The  condition,  of  tiie  Library  and  its  patronage  on  entering 
this  second  home  of  its  existence  is  gleamed  from  tlie  Director's 
report  to  the  Council. 

Whole  no.  of  volumes  in  Library 3712 

Volumes  loaned  for  home  use 11783 

Volumes  loaned  for  reference  work 1551 

Total  number  of  volumes  given  out 13334 

^Making  a  daily  average  of  volumes 4-t 

Classed  as  follows: 


Historv   .027% 

Biographv    .022 

Travel   .016 

Religious .006 

Miscellany .035 

Fiction ' .415 

Science  and  Art .025 

Poetry .018 

Juvenile    .361 

Reference    .062 

Bound  periodicals .013 

Public  documents .001 

Whole  no.  of  patrons  and  visitors 27348 

Daily  average  attendance 90 

No.  of  card  holders  for  home  use 1169 

Per  cent  of  borrowers  per  capita 16 

Revenue — 

City   appropriation ij^lOOO.OO 

Received  from  fines •+  11.40 

Catalogues    9.60 

Cards 4.10 

Old  papers 3.25 

Total   receipts 28.35 

$1028.35 

Total  expenditures __-  1094.68 

Daily  papers 6 

Weeklies  15 

Monthlies    8 

Total   29 

Four  years  of  rent  free  (|uarters  for  the  Library  pas.sed  and 
yet  the  Directors  were  still  endeavoring  to  pry  a  larger  appro- 
priation than  $1000.00  from  the  City  Council,  because  the  increase 
of  the  Library  was  not  keeping  pace  witli  the  reading  public ;  be- 

17 


A,  C.  l^ruNiiA.M 


sides  tlie  said  reveimo  was  inade<iuate  for  a  city  like  Champaign 
claiming-  8000  population.  The  Council  lu)\vever  did  the  next  year 
appropriate  ^I-JOO.OO  for  the  189-t  revenue. 

About  this  time  ilr.  and  Mrs.  A.  C.  Burnham  had  practically 
decided  to  make  some  fitting  testimonial  to  the  Library  tliat  would 
be  of  general  benefit  to  mankind  but  alas  the  Heavenly  Father 
called  Mrs.  Burnham  home  before  definite  steps  were  taken  in  the 
matter. 

^Ir.  Burnham  however  did  not  abandon  the  scheme,  for  on  the 
evening  of  December  10.  1894  he  invited  the  Rev.  C.  N.  Wilder, 
pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  B.  C.  Beach,  president  of  tlie 
Library  Board,  B.  E.  Spalding,  an  alderman  of  the  city  and  Geo. 
W.  Gere,  a  devoted  friend  and  trusted  attorney,  to  meet  at  his 
residence,  and  in  the  presence  of  his  son  and  daughter  disclosed 
to  them  the  project  so  lone  held  in  contemplation,  which  in  sub- 
stance was  a  gift  of  ^40000.00  for  a  Library  building  and  H^IOOOO.OO 
as  an  endowment  fund. 

Tlie  proposition  met  with  unqualified  favor,  and  a  deed  of  gift 
was  sulisequently  drawn  up  by  said  attorney,  who  on  the  first 
(lay  of  January,  1895,  acting  for  Mr.  Burnham,  presented  the  mat- 
ter to  the  City  Council  then  in  session,  to  wit : 

The  conveyance  of  the  residence  property  at  Nos.  306-308  West 
Church  Street  in  this  city  and  $35000.00  for  securing  plans,  erect- 
ing a  building  to  be  known  as  the  "Burnham  Athenaeum"  in  honor 
of  his  deceased  wife,  equipping  and  furnishing  the  same,  and  also 
$10000.00  to  be  known  as  the  Julia  F.  Burnham 's  "Endowment 
fund",  the  income  only  to  be  used  for  books,  the  aggregating 
amount  being  $50000.00. 

Alderman  Spalding  then  presented  a  resolution  to  the  Council 
accepting  the  deed  of  gift,  which  resolution  was  carried  unanimous- 
ly; whereupon  the  deed  was  delivered  to  ^Iv.  Beach,  president 
of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  on  the  2nd  day  of  January,  1895, 
]Mr.  Burnham  placed  to  the  credit  of  the  Library  Board  $10000.00 
representing  the  endowment  fund,  which  Avas  invested  in  farm 
mortgages. 

The  Board  of  Directors  then  took  up  its  part  of  the  work ; 
secured  plans  and  in  due  time,  barring  delays,  erected  the  "Burn- 
ham Athenaeum"  on  said  lots  so  donated — furnished  it  complete 
ready  for  occupancy,  at  ^Ir.  Burnham 's  expense,  and  the  Library 
was  transferred  thereto  Saturday,  December  12th,  1896. 

This  brings  us  down  to  the  third  and  last  lap  in  the  course  of 
the  library's  existence,  where  it  has  found  a  permanent  home. 

The  Burnham  Athenaeum 

Tlie  third  and  permanent  home  of  the  Public  Library  and 
Reading  Room  was  publicly  opened  on  December  17th,  1896.  The 
exercises  being  held  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  on  which  occasion 
Capt.  T.  J.  Smith  acted  as  ]\Iaster  of  Ceremonies. 

19 


Jri.lA    V.   BlR.NHAM 


The  presentation  of  the  buildinji-  was  made  in  ^Ir.  Burnham"s 
behalf  by  liis  devoted  friend  and  legal  adviser,  Geo.  W.  Gere  who 
after  giving  a  history  of  the  library  from  the  organization  of  the 
Association  in  1868,  used  the  following  language,  to  wit: 

"And  now,  to  you,  i\Ir.  ^Nlanford  Savage,  as  president  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  according  to  that  ancient  custom  of  livery  and 
seisin,  I  deliver  this  key  and  thereby  place  your  Board  in  full 
control  and  absolute  possession  of  the  property  conveyed  in  Dr. 
Burnhams  deed  of  gift. 

And,  to  you,  Mr.  Ezra  E.  Chester,  the  mayor  of  the  City  of 
Champaign,  I  deliver  this  sheet  of  pure  white  paper,  upon  wiiich 
to  make  your  appointments  of  members  of  the  Board  of  Directors 
recognizing  tlie  power,  authority  and  duly  resident  in  you  and 
your  successors  in  otifice  to  make  the  apointments  of  members  of 
the  Board  of  Directors,  who  have  control  of  this  property ;  and  in 
conclusion  it  is  tlie  hope  of  the  donor  that  the  Library  may  grow 
in  usefulness  and  importance  in  dissimulating  knowledge." 

A  very  extended  and  flowery  response  was  made  l)y  Mr. 
Savage,  and  ]\Ir.  Chester  gave  the  assurance  that  the  City  wanted 
faithfully  to  fill  its  part  in  maintaining  tlie  trust.  Joseph  Carter 
Superintendent  of  the  public  schools  made  some  pertinent  sugges- 
tions about  the  benefit  the  Library  would  be  to  the  schools.  Then, 
Andrew  S.  Draper,  president  of  the  University  of  Illinois  made  the 
principal  address  of  the  evening,  which  was  well  received. 

Deed  of  Gift 

The  instrument  that  has  made  this  magnificent  building  poss- 
ible, now  stands  a  monument  to  a  noble  woman,  and  a  lasting  bene- 
fit to  mankintl.  particularly  young  America — read  as  follows: 

Deed  of  Gift 

This  indenture  witnessed,  that  I,  Albert  C.  Burnham  a  widowei- 
of  the  City  of  Champaign,  County  of  Champaign,  State  of  Illinois, 
do  hereby  give  and  convey  to  tlie  Board  of  Directors  of  the  City 
Library  of  the  City  of  Champaign,  State  of  Illinois  and  their  suc- 
cessors in  office,  the  following  described  real  estate  to  be  held  by 
them  and  their  successors  in  office  in  trust  forever  as  a  site  for 
the  City  Library  building,  to  wit : 

Lots  nine  (9)  and  ten  (10),  block  four  (4)  of  Farnum,  Clark 
and  White's  addition  to  TTrbana,  (now  a  part  of  the  City  of  Cham- 
paign) in  the  State  of  Illinois,  the  same  being  valued  at  the  sum 
of  five  thousand  dollars  ($5000.00 j. 

And  I  also  hereby  give  to  the  said  Board  of  Directors  the 
further  sum  of  thirty-five  thousand  dollars  ($35000.00)  in  cash  for 
the  purpose  of  erecting  and  building  upon  said  premises  herein 
described  a  s\iitable  building  in  whieh  shall  be  kept  forever  the 
City  Library  of  the  said  City  of  Champaign  and  to  provide  for 
suitable  reading  and  lecture  rooms  in  said  building. 

21 


The  above  «rant  i.s  luaile  upon  the  t'oUowiiig  eoiidition.s,  that 
is  to  .say:  That  the  City  Council  of  the  City  of  Champaiorn.  State 
of  Illinois  will  accept  the  said  donation  of  site  and  funds  for  the 
erection  of  said  liuilding-  and  maintain  the  City  Lihrai-y  therein 
forever. 

And  will  annually  appropriate  for  the  maintenance  of  said 
buildin»>  and  the  Library  to  be  kept  therein  the  sum  of  not  less 
than  two  thousand  dollars  (.1^2000.00)  that  is  to  say,  being  one 
tlu)usand  dollars  ($1000.00)  in  excess  of  what  has  been  annually 
apin-o|)riatcd  for  library  purpo.ses  for  many  years  pa.st,  i)rovided 
it  shall  not  be  required  that  such  appropriation  shall  in  any  one 
year  exceed  the  sum  ])roduced  by  a  tax  of  two  mills  on  the  dollar 
of  the  property  taxable  in  said  City  as  assessed  in  the  preceding- 
year  for  State  and  County  purposes. 

And  that  the  building  shall  be  named  and  forever  known  as 
the  "Burnham  Athenaeum." 

The  said  thirty-five  thousand  dollars  ($35000.00)  above  given 
shall  be  u.sed  exclusively  for  the  erection  of  the  Library  building 
for  the  purpose  above  contemplated,  the  amount  to  be  placed  to 
the  credit  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  City  Library  of  the  City 
of  Chami)aign.  Illinois,  with  Burnham,  Trevett  and  ]\Iattis.  and  to 
be  iiaid  out  by  them  upon  proper  warrants  and  builder's  certifi- 
cates. The  intention  of  giving  the  sum  of  thirty-five  thousand  dol- 
lars ($.3r)000.00)  is,  that  it  shall  include  the  entire  expense  for  plans 
and  the  completion  and  furnishing  of  said  building. 

The  possession  of  the  above  described  premises  is  hereby  re- 
served until  June  1st,  1895 ;  and  the  right  to  remove  all  buildings 
therefrom  is  also  reserved  to  said  date. 

The  privileges  of  said  library  may  be  extended  to  ]iersons  re- 
siding outside  of  the  said  City  of  Champaign  upon  such  terms  and 
conditions  as  the  Board  may  from  time  to  time  by  its  regulations 
])rescribe  in  compliance  with  Chapter  81,  Section  6  of  Ilurd's  Re- 
vision of  the  Statutes  of  Illinois,  of  tlie  date  of  181)3.  And  the 
rigiit  and  })rivileges  is  hereby  granted  to  the  said  Board  of  Di- 
rectors to  ])rovide  and  maintain  in  said  building  a  suitable  lecture 
room. 

And  1  liereby  give  to  the  said  Board  of  Directors  of  the  City 
Library  of  the  City  of  Chami)aign,  State  of  Illinois,  and  their  suc- 
cessors in  olfice  the  further  sum  of  ten  thou.sand  dollars  ($10000.00) 
in  Irust  forever  for  the  uses  and  j>iu-poses  following,  that  is  to 
say:  As.  and  for  a  meinoi-ial  fund  1o  be  kept  invested  at  interest  in 
such  securities  as  the  said  Board  shall  deem  safe,  tlu'  incouu>  from 
which  is  to  be  annually  expended  in  the  j)urchase  of  books  for  said 
City  Libi-ary.  The  books  .so  jiurcha.sed  with  such  funds  shall  have 
inscribed  ujioii  their  label:  "This  boolc  was  purchased  b\-  the  .lulia 
F.  Burnham  Memorial  Fund"",  the  .said  books  tt)  be  placed  in  the 
City  Library  and  become  a  i)ai"t  tiiereof. 

in    the   event   tluit   said   trust    fund    of   ten    thousand    dollars 


($10000.00)  shall  at  any  time  become  impaired  by  reason  of  loss, 
then  and  in  that  case  the  said  Library  Board  shall  from  time  to 
time  add  the  income  of  the  remaininor  portion  to  the  principal  sum 
until  it  is  fully  restored  to  the  sum  of  ten  thousand  dollars 
(10000.00),  when  again  the  income  shall  be  used  for  the  purchase 
of  books  as  aforesaid. 

In  testimony  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  iiiv  hand  and  seal 
this  29th  day  of"  December  A.  D.  1894. 

Albert  C.  Burnham,   (Seal) 
State  of  Illinois, 
Champaign  County 

I.  W.  P.  Spalding,  a  Notary  Public  in  antl  for  the  said  County, 
in  the  State  aforesaid,  do  hereby  certify  that  Albert  C.  Burnliam, 
widower,  personally  known  to  me  to  be  the  same  person  whose 
name  is  subscribed  to  the  foregoing  instrument,  appeared  before 
me  this  day  in  person  and  acknowledged  that  he  signed,  sealed  and 
delivered  the  said  instrument  as  his  free  and  voluntary'  act  for  the 
uses  and  purposes  therein  set  forth. 

Given  under  mv  hand  and  notarial  seal  this  29th  dav  of  De- 
cember. A.  D.  1894." 

W.  P.  Spalding  (Seal) 

Notary  Public. 

Filed  January  2nd,  1895  at  2-V2  o'clock  P.  M. 

W.  G.  Brown, 

Recorder. 

The  Building  Itself 

The  building  is  of  light  gray  brick,  of  special  dimensions  and 
has  a  very  pleasing  exterior.  The  entrance,  between  two  massive 
fluted  pillars  reaching  to  the  eaves,  is  immediately  beneath  the 
inscription  "This  building  was  erected  by  A.  C.  Burnliam  as  a 
Free  Public  Library,  for  the  city  of  Champaign,  anno  domini 
MDCCCXCV." 

The  basement  under  the  whole  structure  contains  a  furnace 
room,  coal  cellar,  janitor's  work  shop,  ash  pit,  storage  room  and  a 
"catch  all." 

A  restful  atmosphere  of  warmth  and  comfort  is  nuiintained 
in  the  entire  main  floor.  The  large  entrance  hall,  wide  stairway, 
large  reading  room,  newspaper  room  and  reference  room,  are 
easily  supervised  from  the  charging  desk  which  is  centrally  located 
in  a  spacious  rotunda.  In  addition  to  these  rooms,  the  librarian's 
private  office,  separated  from  the  loan  department  by  glass  parti- 
tions, is  located  on  the  first  floor.  A  large  stack  room  directly  back 
of  the  loan  desk,  is  furnished  completely  with  steel  shelving. 

On  the  second  floor  is  an  auditorium,  children's  room,  medical 
librarv,  and  club  room. 

23 


Twenty  Years  Progress 

With  the  Burnham  Athenaeum  now  in  possession  of  tlie  Board 
of  Directors,  a  new  era  in,  library  matters  began,  with  promised 
greater  prosperity  and  enlartjed  benefits  to  the  public,  from  the 
assured  fact  of  a  fixed  income  for  new  books,  and  more  liberal  ap- 
propriations anticipated  from  the  city. 

The  condition  of  the  Library  and  its  patronage  on  entering  the 
Athenaeum,  is  disclosed  in  the  20th  annual  report  of  the  Board 
to  the  city  council,  June  1st,  1896,  summarized  as  follows : 

Whole  no.  of  volumes  in  the  library 5593 

No.  loaned  for  home  use 15641 

No.  loaned  for  reference  work 2715 

Total  no.  of  volumes  given  out 1 18356 

A  daily  average  of 59 

Whole  no.  of  visitors 33510 

Daily  average  of  visitors 107 

Percentage  of  the  different  classes  of  books  read : 

Historv    .025% 

Biographv .021% 

I  Travel   .013%, 

Religious .006%, 

Miscellaneous .037% 

Fiction    .489% 

Science  and  Art .010% 

Poetry .014% 

Juvenile    .234'/; 

Reference    .054' v 

Bound   periodicals .036'/f 

]\Iagazines .052'i 

Upon  this  showing,  the  Board  granted  the  librarian  an  assis- 
tant at  fifteen  dollars  per  month,  at  the  same  time  increasing  the 
librarian's  salary  to  fifty  dollars  per  month. 

The  Mason  Lihrarij 

In  1898  the  Library  came  into  possession  of  what  was  known 
as  tlie  *' Mason  Library"  througli  the  generosity  of  Benj.  F.  John- 
.son,  who  bequeathed  the  library  tlie  sum  of  $1000.00  for  books, 
including  a  case. 

This  collection  consisted  of  nearly  eight  hundred  (800) 
volumes  of  mo.st  rare  and  valuable  books  many  of  which  are  of 
historical  character,  now  out  of  print  and  not  to  be  found  any- 
where. 

The  Board  of  Directors  considered  the  collection  of  so  much 
importance  that  it  was  placed  in  the  reference  department  and 

25 


kept  under  l(jek  hikI  key  and  was  ]a))elle(i.  "Tlie  bequest  of  Benj, 
Johnson." 

Children's  Department 

In  Sept.  1899  a  children's  department  was  opened  and  the 
small  soutlieast  room  (now  the  private  otSce)  was  devoted  exelu- 
.sively  for  their  use.  All  the  juvenile  works  were  placed  therein, 
with  low  tables  and  chairs  for  comfort,  and  a  story  hour  established 
for  their  benefit.  The  department  ])roved  very  successful  calling 
for  a  larger  room  on  the  first  floor,  and  this  in  turn  became  crowded, 
so  that  in  1916  the  entire  collection  of  Children's  books  was  moved 
'to  the  second  floor,  in  new  and  more  sj>acious  (luarters.  Three 
rooms  were  thrown  togetlier  for  this  purpose,  and  low  shelving 
added  for  the  accommodation  of  the  cliildren.  Then  again  in  1923, 
the  children's  department  became  so  congested,  that  additional 
space  was  necessary.  To  relieve  this  crowded  condition,  about  16 
feet  of  the  auditorium  was  added  to  the  Children's  Room,  shelving 
jilaced  around  the  entire  room,  and  the  books  for  older  boys  and 
girls  placed  in  it,  thus  creating  for  the  first  time,  an  Intermediate 
nei)artment.  The  50th  annual  report  for  the  year  ending  !May  31. 
1926,  shows  a  total  of  7,583  volumes  in  tlie  juvenile  department. 

The  Branch  Libraries 

To  Ihe  libi-arian.  Miss  Le  Crone,  belongs  the  credit  of  the 
first  trial  for  a  Brancli  Library  on  the  east  side  of  the  city.  M-lien 
in  September  1899.  a  collection  of  books  was  ]>laced  in  the  Associa- 
tion House,  in  cliarge  of  Miss  Carrie  Howell.  Tiiis  act  was  ap- 
proved by  the  Board  in  May  1900.  The  venture  was  soon  aban- 
doned, but  in  1903,  it  again  opened  with  lieadcpiarters  in  various 
places,  i.  e.  Frank's  Greenhouse,  in  the  Vest  Building  and  other 
temporary  locations,  with  volunteer  assistants  in  charge  during 
the  summer  months,  and  stiulents  from  the  T'niversity  of  Illinois 
Library  School  during  the  college  year.  However,  in  1907.  it  be- 
came pretty  well  established  and  a  paid  assistant  was  placed  in 
charge,  tlie  Sehool  Board  generously  giving  space  in  the  ^lariiuette 
School  building  for  the  books,  etc.  When  the  crowded  condition 
of  this  school  made  it  imjierative  to  use  the  room  occupied  by  the 
Bi-anch  Libi-ary  for  school  ])urposes,  the  School  Board  again  came 
to  the  rescue  and  fitted  uj)  a  large  room  in  tlie  basenu'nt  for  the 
use  of  the  Library.  For  six  years  the  Branch  was  located  in  these 
quarters,  with  of  course,  sanitary  condition  not  of  the  most  desir- 
al)le,  but  in  Scptcnibei-  1925,  another  move  was  made  to  the 
first  floor,  with  the  possibility  of  remaining  there  for  several  years. 
At  the  expiration  of  that  time,  the  Library  Board  hopes  to  be  able 
to  take  advantage  of  the  generous  offer  of  the  School  Boai'd  to 
lease  a  section  of  tlu"  .Mar(|uctte  School  groujids  for  a  period  of 
ninety-nine  years  tVii-  $1.00.  to  erect  a  suitable  building  as  a  perma- 
nent home  for  the  ,Mar(juette  Branch  Library. 

26 


Children's  Kuoai 


Children's  Room  Showing  Portion  of  Intermediate  Department 


On  May  5,  1!>20,  the  Board  authorized  the  establishing'  of  a 
Brancli  Library  in  the  western  part  of  tlie  city,  to  be  located  in  the 
Dr.  Howard  School,  in  answer  to  a  petition  from  the  residents 
west  of  Prospect  Avenue.  Tlie  following  July,  the  Library  was 
opened  to  the  public,  with  Nellie  W.  Auld  in  chargre.  It  proved 
to  meet  a  lonjr  felt  want  for  that  section,  as  was  shown  by  the 
several  annual  reports,  but  unfortunately  owing  to  financial  rea- 
sons, the  i)roject  was  abandoned  June  IT),  1925  and  the  property 
transferred  to  the  Main  buildinp-. 

In  March  1921,  residents  in  the  north  section  of  the  city  pre- 
sented a  petition  to  the  Library  Board,  asking  that  a  Branch 
Library  be  established  in  the  Columbia  Scliool,  but  for  financial  rea- 
sons. liie  proposition  was  not  considered  feasil)le. 

The  Heating  Plant 

The  proper  lieating  of  the  Burnham  Athenaeum  gave  the  Di- 
rectors no  end  of  trouble.  The  plant  installed  was  that  of  "indi- 
rect radiation"  and  the  furnace  required  hard  coal,  which,  taken 
together,  neitlier  the  janitor  nor  Board  of  Directors  fully  under- 
stood. When  the  U.  S.  Government  inspector  was  here  superin- 
tending the  erection  of  the  Post  Office  building,  he  volunteered 
to  look  over  the  plant,  which  he  said  was  somewhat  faulty  in  a  few 
minor  points,  but  in  the  main  was  sufficient  for  doing  satisfactory 
Avork.  His  instructions  proved  of  considerable  benefit  and  it  gave 
better  satisfaction  but  in  1912  the  Board  decided  to  change  -the 
radiation  for  the  direct  system  and  connected  with  the  city  main, 
which  was  then  being  extended  west  in  the  alley.  This  entailed 
considerable  expense,  but  the  elimination  of  a  coal  heaver  and  en- 
gineer justified  the  change. 

Revenue 

'V\u'  maintenance  of  the  library  is  dependent  on  three  sources 
of  I'cvcnue  for  its  inconu' : 

1  The  city  jippiopriation  or  general  tax. 

2  The  endowinent  fund  (Julia  F.  Burnham  and  Robert  Davi- 
son Burnliam  gifts). 

'.\  The  desk  receii)ts. 

The  city  lias  invariably  a])pr()j)ria1ed  a  lump  sum  annually 
foi-  lihi-ary  pui-poses  and  said  amount  lias  never  yet  e(iualed  the 
2  mill  1ax  authorized  by  law.  though  of  late  years  the  aiiKMiiit 
allowed  is  very  much  more  liberal. 

This  fund  is  kept  in  the  City  Treasurer's  hands  subject  to 
orders  issued  on  it  by  the  jircsident  and  secretary  of  the  Board  of 
Directors  and  ;uitli(u-ized  by  said  Board.  It  covers  the  general 
maintenance  of  the  library,  i)ayment  of  the  staff,  heat,  light,  re- 
ptiirs  to  hiiilding  and  books,  ins\irance,  i)erio(licals,  rent  of  branch 

28 


and   necessary   expenses  of  the   Lil)rary,   and   if   any   sui-plus   re- 
mains, it  is  invested  in  books,  etc. 

The  city  commenced  with  a  thousand  dollar  ai)propriation  in 
1876  under  its  agreements  with  the  Champaig-n  Library  Association 
and  it  clnng  tenaciously  to  said  amount  for  eighteen  years.  In 
1895  the  amount  was  increased  to  fourteen  hundred  and  for  the 
next  four  years  it  did  not  reach  the  minimum  specified  in  Mr.  Burn- 
ham's  deed  of  gift:  but  in  1900,  the  city  appropriated  twenty-four 
hundred  dollars,  and  since  that  time  the  annual  amount  has  in- 
creased gradually  until  tlie  present  appropriation  of  twenlve  thous- 
and was  reached.  These  amounts  show  what  strides  the  Library 
has  made  since  occupying  the  Burnham  Athenaeum,  altho  at  the 
present  date,  the  maximum  tax  (1.8  mills)  allowed  l)y  Illinois 
Statutes,  has  not  yet  been  reached. 

The  fines  account  does  not  amount  to  a  great  deal  each  year, 
but  is  sufficient  to  take  care  of  small  bills,  such  as  freight  and  ex- 
press charges,  desk  supplies,  salaries  paid  to  pages  for  putting  up 
books  etc. 

The  present  condition  of  the  Library  is  shown  in  the  last  bud- 
get for  1925-26 : 

City  tax   levy $12,000.00 

Interest  on  Endowment __     1,256.00 

Total  income $13,256.00 


Salaries — 

Librarian    1,500.00 

Assistant  librarian 1.200.00 

Children's   librarian 900.00 

Part  time  ass't 600.00 

Branch  librarian 780.00 

Janitor    900.00 

Branch   janitor 90.00 

Total  salaries $     5,970.00 

^Maintenance — 

Books 3,600.00 

Periodicals 450.00 

Binding    700.00 

Insurance 150.00 

Telephone     100.00 

Heat  &  Lidit 1,050.00 

Supplies   200.00 

Printing    100.00 

Building  &  grounds 800.00 

Miscellaneous     136.00 

Total    maintenance $7,286.00 

Total  budget $13,256.00 

29 


KoHKHT    DwiyU-N     JilKMlAM 


Robert  Davison  Burnham  Endoicmcnf  Fund 

In  March  1920.  Robert  Davison  Burnham,  the  only  surviving 
son  of  the  late  A.  C.  and  Julia  F.  Burnliam,  passed  away  at  the 
age  of  48  years,  after  a  very  brief  illness.  His  great  interest  and 
pride  in  the  monument  which  his  father  had  left  in  memory  of 
his  mother,  Julia  F.  Burnham,  was  demonstrated  in  an  additional 
bequest  to  the  Champaign  Public  Library  of  $10,000.00  to  be  known 
as  the  Robert  Davison  Burnham  Endowment  Fund,  the  income 
from  which  is  to  be  used  exclusivel}^  in  the  purchase  of  books.  With 
this  gift,  the  Librarv  is  the  beneficiary  of  a  $20,000.00  Endowment 
Fund. 

Through  the  generosity  of  Mrs.  R.  D.  Burnham,  who  succeeded 
her  husband  on  the  Board,  books  purchased  from  the  Robert 
Davison  Endowment  Fund,  are  marked  with  a  very  beautiful  book 
plate,  the  design  of  which  is  a  restful  home  scene  including  fire 
place,  easy  chair  and  dog  stretched  comfortably  before  an  open 
fire.  In  adition  to  the  steel  plate,  Mrs.  Burnham  presented  1000 
copies  of  the  book  plate  to  the  Library.  On  ]May  31,  1926,  eight 
hundred  and  seventy-five  books  had  been  purchased  from  this  fund 
which  will  form  a  permanent  part  of  the  library  collection. 

The  lAhrary  Board 

The  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Public  Library  consists  of  nine 
persons  residents  of  the  city  who  serve  their  terms  without  com- 
pensation of  any  kind.  They  are  appointed  by  the  mayor  with 
the  approval  of  the  City  Commissioners,  for  three  year  terms  in 
groups  of  three,  thus  making  one  group  expire  annually,  being 
what  is  termed  a  permanent  body.  Vacancies  occasioned  by  death, 
resignation  or  removal  from  the  city  are  filled  in  like  manner  as 
the  first  appointment  for  the  unexpired  term. 

The  Board  has  remained  non  partisan  down  to  the  present 
time.  The  several  city  administrations  have  respected  this  char- 
acteristic condition  of  the  first  appointment,  and  the  diversified 
interests  of  the  general  public  has  been  fairly  well  balanced  and 
preserved  in  the  several  boards. 

The  board  became  a  mixed  body  in  1892  when  Mayor  Harris 
appointed  three  women,  Mrs.  A.  C.  Burnham,  J\lrs.  W.  S.  Maxwell, 
Miss  P^lorence  Thorp  to  succeed  three  men  whose  terms  had  expired, 
and  since  this  time  woman  has  preserved  the  minority  representa- 
tion on  the  board. 

In  1917  the  city  adopted  Commission  form  of  government. 
It  was  generally  conceded  that  this  act  would  automatically  dis- 
charge the  entire  Library  Board  as  well  as  the  city  officials  under 
the  old  regime,  leaving  the  Commissioners  to  determine  the  per- 
sonal of  a  new  board ;  wliether  it  should  consist  of  three,  five  or 
more  members,  as  had  been  done  in  other  cities.  The  liarmony 
that  had  prevailed  in  the  Board,  its  economic  efficiency,  tlie  intelli- 

31 


gent  and  earnest  service  rendered  and  the  apparent  satisfaction 
of  tlie  public,  may  have  had  somethino:  to  do  with  their  retention  in 
otifice.  At  any  rate,  as  they  were  reappointed  for  the  balance  of 
their  respective  terms  in  office,  in  ^oups  of  one,  two  and  three 
vears,  it  seems  a  wise  conclusion. 

The  following-  list  gives  the  names  of  all  Avho  have  served  on 
the  Board  of  Directors  for  the  past  fifty  years,  tlie  first  year  ap- 
pointed, the  number  of  years  served,  also  the  name  of  the  Mayor 
making  the  first  appointment  of  each.  It  does  not  however,  show 
re-ajipointments  and  those  starred  constitute  the  present  incum- 
bents : 

Service 
Years 

4 
2 

13 
1 

36 
1 
5 
2 

16 
2 

10 
5 
9 

14 
9 
1 
3 
3 
5 
3 
3 
3 
2 

6 
1 
1 
1 
3 

28 
7 
3 
8 
9 

26 
3 
3 


i\Iayors 

Years 

Henr 

y  Trevett 

1876 

n 

ft 

1876 

rf 

rr 

1876 

ff 

rr 

1876 

tf 

ff 

1876 

>f 

tt 

1876 

f> 

It 

1876 

ff 

tt 

1876 

rr 

tt 

1876 

Henr 

y  \ 

Pre vet t 

1877 

ff 

ft 

1877 

tf 

ft 

1879 

B.  C. 

Beach 

1880 

//    ft 

ft 

1881 

Wm. 

A. 

Day 

1883 

B.  C. 

Beach 

1885 

//    ff 

// 

1885 

rr      rr 

// 

1886 

L.  S. 

Wilcox 

1888 

P.  W 

.  Woody 

1889 

rr      rr 

rr 

1889 

rr      rr 

rr 

1889 

John 

B. 

Harris 

1892 

// 

rr 

// 

1892 

rr 

rr 

// 

1892 

Jolin 

B. 

Harris 

18J)3 

// 

rr 

// 

1893 

rr 

rr 

^f 

1893 

rr 

rr 

ff 

1894 

rr 

ft 

// 

1894 

rr 

rr 

/f 

1894 

rr 

rr 

ff 

1894 

rr 

ft 

ff 

1894 

Ezra 

Iv 

( Mi<»st«*r 

1895 

rr 

tt 

// 

1896 

rr 

ft 

ff 

1896 

32 


Directors 

Geo.  W.  Gere 
William  Bowen 
Franz  Dollinger 
E.  B.  Arnold 
Edwin  A.  Kratz 
1).  A.  Cheever 
Henrv  Swannell 
S.  L.  Wilson 

B.  C.  Beach 
W.  S.  Maxwell 
J.  B.  Russell 

E.  V.  Peterson 
J.  B.  McKinley 
A.  J.  Cheseboro 
H.  F,  Aspern 
Edward  Henry 

C.  J.  Sabin 
Thomas  Kent 
Henry  H.  Harris 
J.  T.  Pearman 
Frances  E.  O'Neal 
H.  D,  Stoltey 
Mrs.  A.  C.  Burnham 
Mrs.  W.  S.  :Maxwell 
Miss  Catharine  Thorp 
Miss  ]\Iamie  ^IcCabe 
.1.  M.  F.  Irwin 
H.  S.  Capron 
R.  D.  Burnham 
Mrs.  W.  F.  Hardy 
G.  N.  Cunningliam 

F.  11.  Lloyde 
M.  McGraw 
Mrs.  J.  B.  Russell 
Ozias  Riley 
]\Ianfoi'd  Savage 


^Mayors 

Jas.  R.  Scott 
C.  J.  Sabin 

C.  J.  :\rnllikin 
E.  S.  Swigart 


S.  A.  Blaine 


Saml  C.  Tucker 


Wm,  Coiighlin 

fr  // 


0.  B.  Dobbins 


E.  S.  Swigart 
//    //        // 

S.  C.  Eucker 

ft  tr  n 

ri  rr  /r 

//  rt  /r 

rt  tt  rt 

rr  tt  tf 

r>  tt  tt 

George  Babb 
//  tt 


Years 

1898 
1899 
1899 
1901 
1903 
1903 
1904 
1905 
1905 
1906 
1909 
1909 
1910 
1910 
1910 
1911 
1911 
1912 
1912 
1913 
1914 
1915 
1915 
1915 
1918 
1919 
1919 
1920 
1920 
1921 
1922 
1925 
1925 


Service 

Directors 

Years 

]\Irs.  Annie  Clark 

6 

Miss  Marv  E.  Walker 

6 

W.  W.  :\laxwell 

6 

Mrs.  0.  E.  Miller 

26* 

PI.  H.  Berks 

7 

F.  G.  Campbell 

3 

Miss  Rav  L.  Bowman 

6 

Chas.  a".  Kiler 

:\lr.  J.  R.  Stewart 

8 

Dr.  W.  L.  Gray 

3 

Mrs.  E.  J.  Townsend 

2 

Dr.  C.  M.  Craig 

3 

Mrs.  M.  J.  Calhoum 

3 

Dr.  Wm.  M.  Honn 

2 

James  McCann 

1 

Mrs.  J.  B.  Harris 

8 

Dr.  J.  C.  Dodds 

16* 

Wm.  J.  Dolan 

3 

Dr.  G.  W.  Rice 

2 

C.  L.  Kiser 

14 

G.  R.  Shawhan 

11 

Dan  G.  Swannell 

1/2 

John  R.  Stewart 

3 

Wm.  F.  Woods 

14* 

Mrs.  George  Huff 

9* 

0.  L.  Davis 

2 

G.  P.  Hoster 

3 

Marv  B.  Harris 

1 

P.  W.  Wright 

7* 

Mrs.  R.  D.  Burnham 

6* 

C.  M.  Stahl 

5* 

R.  M.  Campbell 

2* 

H.  A.  Hollister 

2* 

Officers  of  the  Board 

Presidents  showing  year  first  elected  and  no.  served 

1876     George  W.  Gere  4  Years 

1880     Jas.  B.  Russell  9 

1889     Henrv  F.  Aspern  4 

1893     B.  C.  Beach  3 

1896     :\Ianford  Savage  3 

1899     Edwin  A.  Kratz  7 

1906     Henrv   W.   Berks  4 

1910     Robert  D.  Burnham  11 
1920     J.  C.  Dodds 

33 


1910 

C.  M.  Craig' 

1912 

J.  C.  Dodds 

1920 

C.  L.  Kiser 

1925 

P.  W.  Wriglit 

Treasurers  of  the  Endow 

1896 

G.  N.  Ciinninoham 

1898 

F.   H.  Llovde 

1903 

H.  W.  Berks 

1906 

K.  1).  Burnham 

1909 

]\[iss  Rav  L.  Bowman 

1910 

Win.  I\I."  Honn 

1911 

E.  A.  Kratz 

1914 

W.  J.  Dolan 

19ir> 

W.  F.  Woods 

1920 

Mrs.  G.  Huff 

Secretaries 

1876 

E.  A.  Kratz 

1893 

H.  S.  Capron 

1893 

H.  S.  Capron 

1899 

W.  W.  Maxwell 

1905 

Miss  Rav  L.  Bowman 

1910 

Mrs.  J.  *B.  Russell 

1914 

Mrs.  B.  Harris 

1915 

Wm.  F.  Woods 

1920 

Mrs.  G.  Huff 

Vice  Presidents 

2  Years 
5      " 
4      " 


2Y 

ears 

5 

f> 

3 

f^ 

4 

rr 

1 

n 

1 

rr 

3 

/r 

1 

ff 

5 

rr 

20  Y 

ears 

3 

3 

6 

5 

4 

1 

2 

Durinji'  tlie  past  decade,  six  members  of  the  Board  died  in 
ot^ce  viz.  J.  R.  Stewart,  Mrs.  J.  B.  Russell,  Ro1)ert  I).  Burnham, 
Marv  Burnham  Harris,  C.  L.  Kiser  and  G.  R.  Shawhan. 

Of  tlie  benefactor's  family,  Robert  liad  succeeded  his  mother, 
Mary  succeeded  her  brother  and  at  her  death  in  1921,  Mrs.  R.  D. 
Burnham  was  apointed  to  fill  the  vacancy.  For  the  first  time  since 
]892,  the  consan<iuinity  was  broken.  However,  there  remain 
several  grand  cliihlren,  eminently  worthy  descendents  of  a  noble 
family. 

The  Libra rif  Slaff  and  lloura 

The  library  hours  started  in  1876  with  afternoon  and  evening 
()pe)iin<r  week  days  and  four  hours  Sunday  afternoons.  This 
.irranf-cmcnt  continued  api)ai-('ntly  satisfactory  for  four  years 
with  fairly  good  Sunday  atti'ndance ;  but  in  1881  a  protest  from  the 
"Murphy  Meetings"  claimed  that  their  attendance  was  interferred 

34 


Avith,  duo  to  the  lilirary  affonliiio;  a  trystin<i:  place  for  yoiiii<i'  peo- 
ple, or  sometirni«>'  to  that  eft'eet ;  so  the  Sunday  opening  \va.s 
abandoned,  and  the  Library  remained  closed  on  that  day  for  some 
years.  On  two  subsequent  occasions  howevei-,  new  members  on  the 
Board  of  Directors  favored  a  three  montlis'  trial  of  Sunday  ser- 
vice for  the  benefit  of  tlie  public.  Once  in  1892  and  again  in  1907 
the  trials  were  made  but  the  attendance  did  not  justify  the  experi- 
ment. 

On  entering  the  Burnham  Athenaeum  in  1S!>6.  a  broader  scope 
of  the  uses  and  benetits  and  the  convenience  of  the  pul)lic  was  con- 
sidered. The  circulation  department  was  open  at  9  a.  m.  tc  con- 
tinue all  day  and  the  public  was  given  free  access  to  the  stack 
i-oom.  thus  doing  away  with  some  red  tape  in  giving  out  books. 

The  library  staff  from  the  beginning  consisted  of  only  one 
person  (the  librarian)  down  to  1896  (20  years)  as  all  departments 
had  been  in  one  room  prior  thereto,  in  plain  view  of  the  office 
desk,  and  besides  the  work  did  not  seem  burdensome  to  one  person. 

The  first  assistant  was  installed  in  1897,  a  substitute  came  in 
a  few  years  later  who  became  assistant  in  1907 ;  a  third  assistant 
became  necessary  in  1914.  Also  a  Branch  Librarian  became  a 
necessity  in  1907.  In  1916,  one  of  the  general  assistants  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  Children's  Room,  with  the  title  of  Children's  Libra- 
rian and  in  192-1  still  another  assistant  working  only  part  time, 
was  added. 

The  personnel  of  the  present  staff  is : 

Librarian    Ethel  G.  Kratz 

Assistant   librarian Vereta  ]\IcGuire 

Children's  librarian Geneva   Couberly 

Part  time  ass't Lina    Wilske 

Branch  librarian Cordelia   Amsbary 

Janitor    John  Cole 

The  first  compensation  paid  the  librarian  was  H^20.00  per 
month  for  the  calendar  year  1876 — it  was  then  made  $25.00  per 
month  which  sum" prevailed  for  twelve  years.  On  moving  into  the 
City  Building  in  1889  the  sum  of  $30.00  per  month  was  allowed 
and  in  1896  on  entering  the  Burnham  Athenaeum,  $50.00  per 
month  was  considered  ample  compensation.  Since  then  the  salary 
of  the  librarian  has  been  increased  every  few  years  until  the 
present  allowance  is  $125.00  i)er  month. 

The  first  assistant  was  given  $15.00  per  month  and  this  amount 
has  been  gradually  increased  to  $100.00.  The  second  assistant  Avho 
was  also  allowed  $15.00  per  month  at  the  start,  now  makes  $75.00. 

The  Branch  Librarian  commenced  with  $20.00  per  month 
which  has  been  increased  to  $65.00  per  month. 

35 


The  janitor  of  the  Burnhain  Athenaeum  was  first  in  charge 
of  the  furnace  and  became  responsible  for  the  temperature  of  the 
building  and  received  $35.00  per  month  and  subsequently  given 
charge  of  the  repair  of  books  at  $15.00  per  month  extra,  but  since 
the  city  heat  was  installed  the  repair  department  was  considerably 
abridged,  (the  books  being  sent  away  for  rebindingj  so  his  duties 
were  shifted  to  the  first  floor  and  the  salary  fixed  at  $45.00  per 
month  Avhich  has  later  been  increased  to  $75.00. 

The  following  list  shows  the  individual  members  who  have 
served  on  the  staff  together  with  the  year  of  first  appointment  and 
the  time  each  has  served : 


Library  Staff 

Librarian 

Time 

1876 

:\Irs. 

]\I.  'SI.  Frampton 

7  Yea  re 

1883 

m-s. 

Annie  AI.   Beidler 

1      " 

1884 

Mrs. 

M.  M.  Frampton 

6      " 

1890 

Mrs. 

A.  W.  Plotner 

1      mo. 

1890 

:\iiss 

Nellie  C.  Kellog 

2i/>  vrs 

1893 

.Airs. 

AI.  AI.  Frampton 

3      " 

1896 

Miss 

Anna  Le  Crone 

6      " 

1901 

:\Iiss 

Florence  E.  Carter 

3i/>  " 

1903 

Miss 

Jeanotte  Roberts 

101/2  " 

1915 

Miss 

Ethel  G.  Kartz 

First  Assistant 

1896 

:\Irs. 

]M.  'SI.  Frampton 

2  Years 

1898 

Miss 

Jeanette  Roberts 

51/.  " 

1903 

Miss 

Mabel  Jones 

51/2  " 

1908 

Miss 

Elizabeth  Brvan 

9      " 

1910 

Miss 

Ethel  G.  Kratz 

4      " 

1914 

Miss 

Vereta  Mc  Guire 

2      " 

1916 

:\Iiss 

Ruth  Ilardin 

8     " 

1924 

Miss 

Vereta  McGuire 

Second  Assistant 

1907 

:\Iiss 

Mvrtle  Hill 

1  Year 

1909 

JNIiss 

Ethel  G.  Kratz 

1      " 

1910 

Miss 

Fanny  Hill 

•  >          >r 

•  > 

1920 

:\Iiss 

Mabeile  Chester 

4      " 

1924 

Miss 

Lina  Wilske 

Children  's  Librarian 

1916 

:\Iiss 

Vereta  ]Mc  Guire 

8  Years 

1924 

Miss 

Mabeile    Chester 

1      " 

1925 

Miss 

Geneva   Couberlv 

36 


Branch  Librarian 


1907 

Miss   Elizabeth   Brvaii 

1    week 

1907 

Miss  Ethel  Boiul 

;j     mo. 

1907 

Miss  jMarjorie  Gage 

1    vear 

1908 

Mrs.  Louise  L.  Gage 

10    '" 

1918 

Miss  Cordelia   Amsbary 

7      " 

1920 

Mrs.  Nellie  W.  Aiikl 

Janitors 

4      " 
(Howard  Branch) 

Date 

Name 

Service 

1896 

George  Strode 

1  vear 

1897 

Oliver  Dyson 

1  '   " 

1898 

Mark  Hazen 

6      " 

1904 

Win.   McComb 

7      " 

1912 

Wni.   Reisinger 

3      '' 

1915 

J.  C.  Collins 

1      '' 

1916 

W.  C.  Alexander 

4      " 

1921 

John  Cole 

The  past  ten  years  have  been  years  of  great  growth,  and  have 
witnessed  many  changes  and  improvements.  In  1919,  a  new  light- 
ing system  was  authorized  at  a  cost  of  $2,383.00.  The  massive  and 
solid  front  door  was,  in  1922,  replaced  by  two  small,  glass  doors. 
In  1924,  the  stack  room  became  so  crowded  that  it  became  neces- 
sary to  completely  refurnish  it  in  steel  shelves  in  place  of  the 
lovely  but  cumberson  wooden  .shelving  which  had  been  installed 
at  the  time  the  building  was  erected.  This  change  increased  the 
capacity  some  6,000  volumes. 

The  increase  in  the  usefulness  of  the  Library,  as  demonstrated 
by  the  circulation  statistics,  may  best  be  shown  by  the  last  annual 
report,  a  short  summary  of  which  follows: 

Number  of  volumes  in  Library  May  31,  1926 38,183 

Number  of  Borrowei-s  in  Library  May  31,  1926__-     7,552 

'  Circulation  of  books: 

Adult 86,250 

^,.  Juvenile 32,475 

Total 118,705 

Magazine  circulation 5,576 

Total  circulation  of  books  and  magazines 124,281 

A  comparison  of  statistics  for  ten  years,  1916-1926,  will  be 
found  in  the  accompanying  table: 

37 


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Benefactors 

Albert  Calvin  Burnliam 

Albert  Calvin  Rui'nham's  magnificent  g:ift  to  the  Champaign 
Public  Library,  stands  as  a  monument  to  a  generous  spirit  and  for 
the  good  of  the  public. 

He  was  born  Fel)ruary  20th,  1839,  at  Summerfield,  Michigan, 
the  son  df  Calvin  B  Burnhnm  of  Montague,  Mass.,  and  Mary 
Ann  Bruce  (Burnliam)  of  Templeton,  Mass.,  whose  ancestry  was 
colonial  of  English  descent.  He  received  a  common  school  educa- 
tion in  his  native  place  and  came  to  Champaign  about  1859,  pos- 
sessed with  good  sense,  \villing  hands  and  a  determination  to  win. 
Rumor  said  that  his  first  enter])rise  here  was  a  confectionary  stand, 
of  short  duration,  however. 

He  read  law  with  James  B.  McKinley  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar.  His  first  ease  in  court  was  against  him,  which  so  morti- 
fied his  sensitive  nature  that  he  quit  tlie  law  witli  the  remark  "that 
he  Avas  not  cut  out  for  a  lawyer,  but  he  knew  that  he  could  make 
good  at  something- else."  The  Loan  and  Brokerage  business  was 
then  entered  into  and  carried  to  a  very  marked  success,  leaving 
a  large  estate  in  trust  for  the  benefit  of  his  heirs.  He  founded 
the  banking  house  of  Burnliam,  Condit  and  Scott,  which  later  be- 
came Burnham,  Trevett  and  Mattis,  and  was  finally  incorporated 
in  the  present  Trevett-Mattis  Banking  Company. 

Besides  the  Library  gift  mentioned  above,  he  also  provided  for 
the  Julia  F.  Burnliam  Hospital  in  the  same  liberal  manner,  by  set- 
ting aside  a  similar  amount  for  the  Hospital  building. 

A  veteran  of  the  ("ivil  War.  lie  served  his  country  as  Q.  M.  Ser- 
geant of  the  76th  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantiy,  following 
his  regiment  in  all  its  campaigns  and  engagements.  He  was  a  re- 
publican in  national  issues  and  a  sound  money  advocate  on  all 
occasions. 

He  married  Julia  F.  Davison  of  Newark,  N.  J.  in  1866  and 
issued  a  son  and  daughter,  the  former  serving  for  28  years  on  the 
Librar^^  Board  and  the  latter  in  a  similar  capacity  on  the  Julia  F. 
Burnham   Hospital  Board. 

He  died  September  13th,  1897  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  Mt.  Hope 
cemeter3^ 

Benjamin  F.  Johnson 

Benjamin  F.  Johnson  is  another  person  deserving  of  special 
mention.  He  left  by  will,  the  sum  of  $1000.00,  which  is  mentioned 
above  under  "Mason  Library." 

He  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  the  city,  listed  in  the 
city  director}^  of  1870  as  a  farmer,  but  he  had  only  one  aim  and 

39 


always  appearpd  as  a  orentleman  of  leisure.  He  was  the  regular 
correspondent  of  a  Farm  journal  and  an  occasional  writer  on 
scientific  subjects. 

He  remained  single,  his  sister  keeping  house  for  him.  His 
home  was  located  on  White  Street  at  the  foot  of  Randolph,  and 
when  in  1868,  the  city  agitated  the  question  of  opening  said  Ran- 
dolph Street  through  his  property  to  the  south  limit,  he  declared 
in  language  more  forcible  than  elegant,  that  when  the  street  was 
opened  the  city  would  pay  for  it,  and  forthwith  he  put  a  stone 
basement  under  the  house.  However,  he  made  good  by  leaving 
$10,000.00  to  the  city  for  the  benefit  of  tlie  City  Park,  which  be- 
came available  upon  the  subsequent  death  of  his  sister,  and  the 
pathetic  fountain  in  the  center  of  the  park,  together  with  the 
cement   walks   attest  his  generosity. 

In  addition  to  these  prominent  people  and  R.  D.  Burnham. 
who  is  mentioned  in  a  fore-going  chapter,  many  others  have  be- 
friended the  Librarv  in  more  or  less  modest  ways,  among  whom 
are  Dr.  Hartwell  Carver  Howard,  who  donated  his  medical  library, 
the  accumulation  of  fifty  years  of  practice  in  the  city,  as  a  nucleus 
or  starting  point  for  a  professional  department  in  the  Library. 
Space  for  this  generous  gift  was  set  aside  on  the  second  floor.  From 
time  to  time,  other  medical  books  and  collections  have  been  added 
to  this.  Drs.  Kratz  and  ]\lills  placed  some  valuable  books  with  a 
number  of  medical  journals  of  the  better  cla.ss,  in  the  original  col- 
lection and  later  the  medical  libraries  of  Dr.  J.  C.  Dodds  and  Dr. 
L.  S.  AVilcox  were  added. 

Another  person  deserving  of  mention  in  this  survey,  is  the  latet 
George  W.  Gere,  whose  close  connection  with  the  Library  in  an 
official  position  and  his  intimate  relation,  social  and  legal,  with  ]\Ir. 
Burnham.  had  no  doubt,  a  great  bearing  on  shaping  the  affairs 
made  manifest  January-  1st,  1895. 


40 


t  Pamphlet 

Binder 
Gaylord  Bros. 

Makers 
Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

PAT.  JAN  21,  1908 


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UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS-URBANA 

0272ZC449K  C002 

HISTORY  OF  THE  CHAMPAIGN  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


12  025273712 


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